Proposals by the European Commission to cut funding and reimpose trade tariffs on Israel are “hugely significant”, that’s according to Tánaiste Simon Harris TD.
The EU wants to hit Israel with economic tariffs on more than €5.8 billion worth of Israeli exports.
The European Commission estimates doing so would add €227 million to the cost of Israeli products sold in Europe.
At the same time, the European Commission has also proposed sanctions against two Israeli ministers, extremist settlers in the West Bank as well as additional sanctions on Hamas members.
But all the proposals need the support of EU member states.
The suspension of the trade in goods chapter of the EU-Israel Association Agreement could be triggered by a qualified majority of member states.
That means the strongest critics of Israel such as Spain and Ireland would not be enough on their own.
But in recent months a raft of other EU countries including The Netherlands, Sweden and Poland have voiced concerns about Israel’s campaign in Gaza.
Sanctions against Israeli ministers, violent settlers and Hamas members could only be passed if all 27 EU member states support them.
Some of Israel’s biggest supporters in Europe have blocked that happening so far.
“The aim is not to punish Israel”, said the EU’s foreign affairs chief, Kaja Kallas, “the aim is to improve humanitarian situation in Gaza.”
“All [EU] member states agree that the situation in Gaza is untenable. The war needs to end”, she added.
Tánaiste Simon Harris said:
“Today’s publication by the European Commission of a proposal to suspend the core trade-related parts of the EU’s Association Agreement with Israel is hugely significant.
There is a genocide taking place in Gaza and the findings of the UN Commission of Inquiry earlier this week make clear that this is the case.
The need for action has never been more urgent. In fact, it is long past due.
The Commission has finally tabled concrete proposals for trade measures against Israel. Today marks a critical turning point. What we now need to see is the Council convened as a matter of urgency to consider these proposals, which Ireland will fully support.
The package also proposes sanctions on extremist Israeli ministers and violent settlers, as well as on Hamas. Ireland supports these proposals.
Ireland has long called for concrete measures. A qualified majority will be required for the trade measures while the sanctions will require unanimity. I will be urging our fellow Member States to support both sets of proposals.
In addition to the implementation of these measures, we need an urgent ceasefire, the release of all hostages, for humanitarian aid to flow and for a concerted effort to bring about a two-state solution.”